Nothing gets you into the holiday spirit like millions of twinkling lights set to holiday music. If you are wondering where can I find the best Christmas lights near me, then look no further. We have a perfect list. Find where to see free holiday light displays that are professionally done, paid attractions that have Christmas light displays and residential holiday light displays.

So read on for a list of places to see beautiful Christmas light displays near Atlanta. Know others, even if it’s just a neighbor’s awesome set up, then leave a comment and let us know.

Atlantic Station Lights

1380 Atlantic Dr NW | Atlanta | 404-410-4010
View 250,000 lights within an 8-block radius at Atlantic Station. This is a wonderful FREE light display, and I love that you can walk around, vs. having to drive through.

While you’re there, gather around Atlantic Station’s grand 50-foot tall Christmas Tree, and experience the magic of a realistic snowfall Sunday-Thursday at 6:00pm and Friday and Saturday 6:00-9:00 pm at the top of each hour. (Snow is weather permitting)

The best part of the Atlantic Station holiday lights (other than the lights and the snow) is there is a TON to do. Go ice skating, do a little shopping, enjoy dinner at one of 17 restaurants, visit Santa’s Cottage in Central Park or shop the authentic German Christkindl Market for gifts from Germany – and German bratts, too!

The Lighting of Atlantic Station

The season begins with the lighting of Atlantic Station on Nov. 17, 2018. This is a fun festival with a parade, Santa, activity village for kids, live reindeer, and live music, all culminating with the lighting of the Grand Christmas Tree in Central Park. The event is 12 – 9 pm with the parade at 8 pm and the tree lighting around 8:45 pm.

Lights at Christmas at Callanwolde

980 Briarcliff Rd NE | Atlanta | 404-872-5338
The joy of the holiday season begins with The​ ​Christmas​ ​at Callanwolde​ ​Designer​ ​Show​ ​House​– an Atlanta holiday tradition for over 40 years! Visitors of all ages will enjoy a self-guided tour of the 27,000 square-foot historic mansion elaborately decorated by Atlanta’s top interior and floral designers, as well as professional holiday displays, an expansive artists’ market, and themed events for all ages. Every room inspires and captures the spirit of the season. By evening, see the 12 acre campus of Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in a new light- buildings on the grounds will shine with professional lighting of the buildings and trees by Illuminating Design.

Life College Lights of Life

1269 Barclay Cir | Marietta | 770-426-2600
More than 100 pieces displayed throughout the 1.5 mile drive through the Life College campus. The display of Santa and his sleigh stands over 65 feet high making it the tallest in the Southeast. There is a petting zoo, pony rides and train rides for a fee. You can also have your picture taken with Santa for an additional fee. You can also run the Lights of Life to benefit the Boys and Girls Club.

Each year, the display is a little different, making each experience unique. With more than one million LED bulbs, combined with the low cost, Lights of LIFE is the most affordable, quality light display in the metro area.

Magical Night of Lights

7000 Lanier Islands Pkwy. | Buford | 678-304-3120Lake Lanier’s Magical Night of Lights is a seven-mile drive through tour of animated, festive, holiday light displays that has been dazzling families for over 25 years. At the end of your tour, the Holiday Village awaits with carnival rides and games, pony rides and numerous holiday treats. (Some activities require an additional fee) Warm up with a hot cup of cocoa or step inside Santa’s Workshop for some holiday shopping and a visit with Santa. Also included with daily admission is access to the live nativity.

Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights

17800 US-27 | Pine Mountain | 844-512-3826
Eight million lights. 15 dazzling scenes. 1 magical night. Fantasy In Lights is not only the South’s most spectacular holiday light and sound show, it is one of the world’s “Top 10 Places to See Holiday Lights,” as named by National Geographic Traveler.

With more than a dozen larger-than-life lighted scenes, Fantasy In Lights remains unique in that its scenes are custom-designed especially for Callaway Gardens–to celebrate not only the joy of the season but the wonder of nature in this idyllic setting.

A Stone Mountain Christmas

1000 Robert E Lee Blvd | Stone Mountain | 770-498-5690

DISCOUNT TICKETS. There are more than two million twinkling lights ablaze at Stone Mountain Christmas. While you’re there, watch live entertainment shows, Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas in 4-D, watch a festive Christmas Parade, a special fireworks show and more. Here is a post on Stone Mountain Christmas (includes photos, video and tips for a great experience). Stone Mountain Christmas features, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer® and Bumble™ the Abominable Snow Monster. Kids of all ages can meet these two heartwarming characters or catch them in the nightly Christmas parade!

Six Flags Over Georgia Holiday in the Park

275 Riverside Parkway Southwest | Austell | 770-739-3400More than one million LED lights will turn on at once at Six Flags Over Georgia, as Santa Claus and his reindeer ride their sleigh for the first time to Six Flags Over Georgia for the debut of Holiday in the Park®. This all-new celebration transforms the park into a winter wonderland with dazzling Christmas trees, exclusive holiday shows and many of the park’s most popular rides.

Pettit Creek Farms Christmas Lights

337 Cassville Rd. | Cartersville | 770-386-8688Pettit Creek Farms has a one mile drive through light display, as well as a petting zoo and live reindeer (Comet & Cupid) Santa Claus is scheduled Thursday-Sunday. The Live Nativity can be seen on weekends! There is a concession stand with hot chocolate, warm cider, marshmallows for roasting and s’more kits. Patio heaters and campfires will be available to keep you warm but bring a blanket for the hayride! You can also get your Christmas Tree while you’re there.

Chehaw Park’s Festival of Lights

105 Chehaw Park Rd | Albany | 229-430-5275
Families will be laughing all the way at Chehaw Park’s Festival of Lights in Albany, located off I-75 and I-10 in southwest Georgia. Crank the Christmas tunes and drive through more than 1,000 sparkling holiday light fixtures. Or, catch the jolly scenery aboard a train ride. Every glowing piece is handcrafted in the park’s welding shop, making this a truly one-of-a-kind spectacle.

Lighting of the Ruins at Barnsley Resort

Light Up Blue Ridge

241 Depot St. | Blue Ridge | 877-413-8724
Kids will enjoy the petting zoo, pony and train rides, and more at Light Up Blue Ridge. There’s a gingerbread house and window decorating contest, and the lighting of the Great Tree. Not free, but worth every penny, you can also ride the Santa Express or the Night Train to Santa’s Pavilion on the Blue Ridge Railway. I love the shops in Blue Ridge for Holiday presents, too!

Enchanted Garden of Lights at Rock City

1400 Patten Rd | Lookout Mountain | 706-820-2531

It’s a Chattanooga holiday tradition and a winter wonderland. Walk through Enchanted Garden of Lights at night and view custom Christmas lights, creating a magical experience you’ll always remember. Marvel at this award-winning holiday lighting extravaganza! Music, food and our magical decorations are but a few reasons to SEE ROCK CITY this holiday season.

See These Christmas Lights For Free

Centennial Olympic Park Holidays in Light

265 Park Ave W NW | Atlanta | 404-223-4412

Due to the ongoing major renovations of the park, the annual holiday lights in COP will be on hiatus for 2017. Learn more about the exciting changes coming to the park here.

We’re still waiting to hear back about 2018! We’ll keep you posted. We know there is NO ice skating rink in 2018. More soon!

The Village Green, Smryna

The Village Green area in Smyrna is around the Library, Community Center, the Veterans Memorial – along with the Market Village are dressed in lights and holiday cheer through New Year’s Eve/Day.

Waiting on 2018 updates!

The Rock Ranch: A Country Christmas in Lights

5020 Barnesville Hwy | The Rock | 706-647-6374
The Rock Ranch invites families to drive through more than a mile of lights at The Rock Ranch Christmas on the farm. This tradition started seven years ago when the late S. Truett Cathy, Founder of Chick-fil-A and The Rock Ranch, purchased a truck load of lights from Lowes and Home Depot during an “After Christmas” sale. He thought folks would enjoy an affordable opportunity to drive through beautifully lit Christmas scenes. This growing lights display gets better and better each year. Note: the drive-thru option is not available on select days, but wagon rides, train rides, Santa’s workshop, dinner and much more will be available for families to enjoy.

“Deck the Hollow” Holiday Light Show at Bear Hollow Zoo

293 Gran Ellen Dr | Athens | 706-613-3580

The Bear Hollow Zoo in Athens will be illuminated in lights, offer live music, animal encounters and photo opportunities on December 7-10 and 14-17 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Concessions, including hot chocolate and s’mores will be available for purchase. Cost is $3/person (cash only).

Waiting on 2018 Updates!

Athens Downtown Christmas Parade of Lights

This popular annual event gives viewers and participants the opportunity to enjoy an evening parade in Downtown Athens while it is decorated for the holiday season.Dozens of floats, bands and groups will wind through downtown streets awash in twinkling lights. The parade begins on the corner of Dougherty and Pulaski Streets and ends in front of City Hall for the traditional tree lighting ceremony hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The Battery Atlanta

800 Battery Ave SE #130 | Atlanta | 404-494-1150
The Holiday Light Show at the Battery is a new addition for 2018. From November 30 through Christmas Day, guests experience an immersive sound and light display throughout the Plaza each evening. With a variety of soundtracks, each visit will vary for guests of The Battery Atlanta.

Mountain Country Christmas In Lights

Enjoy this holiday treat for the entire family at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee, GA along the shores of beautiful Lake Chatuge in the Northeast Georgia mountains. The fairground will be transformed into a spectacular and magical holiday light show, with special Christmas music provided local churches, art & craft vendors, holiday food, a visit and pictures with Santa, and of course hot chocolate and s’mores. $5 donations per person are requested.

Residential Christmas Light Displays Near Atlanta

Economy House (Stone Mountain) 1833 Smokerise Summit, Stone Mountain, GA. 30087 The Economy family welcomes you to see their home decorated with thousands and thousands of Christmas lights. In 2015 the family began collecting donations for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. In addition to Make-a-Wish, the Tucker High School’s Habitat for Humanity carols one night for donations. In past years, Santa Claus has been present on Saturday and Sunday evenings in his sleigh.

Ashebrooke Night of Lights (Cumming) The Ashebrooke Subdivision in Cumming hosts a Night of Lights. Residents of Ashebrooke subdivision light up their streets and their homes with luminary bags & candles to put on a great display of lights in an effort to help raise money for a worthy cause. This year’s beneficiary is to be two families that live in the neighborhood. Both families have had a difficult year and the money raised will really help them out. In addition to the lights, they’ll have a live nativity. For more information on lights near Cumming, visit Cumming Local.

Red Hawk Christmas (Dawsonville) An Animated Christmas Light Show in North Georgia. This year they have 12,000+ lights timed to several Christmas Carols. The show is free and any donations will benefit KARE for Kids. A local non-profit who gives local children in need the Christmas they deserve.

Christmas in Castille (Alpharetta) Weather permitting, the show runs from Nov 30th through Dec 23rd between 6pm – 9pm on Thursday – Saturday. The neighborhood is gated so when the gates close for the night, the show ends. When you drive up, tune your radio to 89.9FM. Please check the Facebook page for inclement weather updates.

Christmas in Castille will not be open in 2018. Instead try Warbinton Farms.

Christmas in the Grove (Decatur) The show begins on Thanksgiving night and runs through January 1 from 6:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 6:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Friday – Sunday, weather permitted. Our show has evolved from simple animation in 2010, to a light show, choreographed to some of the greatest Christmas music ever! The sound from our show can be heard in our yard and is also broadcast on 87.9 FM so that you can listen from the comfort of your car.

We were sad to learn of the death of Tony Paradowski earlier this year (2018.) Christmas in the Grove will be missed. We offer our thoughts and condolences to his family during this trying season.

Christmas on Amberwood (Lawrenceville) 2 yards of lights, 70 inflatables, 23 trees, and much more. Santa and Mrs Claus will be out every Friday and Saturday night to take pictures and collect donations for daffys pet soup kitchen.

Vinyard Christmas (Lawrenceville) Let the show begin, the lights are on! They run from 5:30pm – 10pm weekdays and until 11pm on weekends every night though New Years.

Christmas on the Hill (Flowery Branch) This is the Hathcock family’s way of spreading Christmas cheer via animated light show which you can stop by and see at 6711 Willowbrook Trl. from 6-10 PM.

Holly Springs Lights (Holly Springs/Canton) The light show changes throughout the week. See the Facebook page for a schedule. Lights start at 6:00 and then every half hour until 10:00 or later. Cost is $5.

Mint Julep Christmas (Ball Ground) Weather permitting (no downpours), the show runs every evening through New Year’s Eve. Sun-Thur 6pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm. We have 40,000+ lights that are synchronized to music with over 20 songs and the entire show lasts just under an hour. The display is absolutely free, but donations are graciously accepted and ALL funds go to the Sibley Heart Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Felix Family Christmas Lights (Dallas) The Felix Family Christmas Lights run from Thanksgiving to New Years and are a national award winning display. The house has been featured on various websites and recognized as one of the 25 best decorated homes in America.

Ludy Christmas (Columbus) The Ludy’s have been on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light fight with over 150,000 lights that dance in sync to music. All of the displays are handmade by the creator!

Lights on Linstone (Grayson) They are fairly new, but offer a very festive light display for Halloween and Christmas! New this year is the Pixel Matrix that goes along with the Pixel Mega Tree.

Duluth’s Christmas House (Duluth) Drive by or walk through lights with a special community offering. Santa photos, crafts, and refreshments, too.

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Sue Rodman | Co-Founder

Sue came to Atlanta after finishing the Walt Disney World College Program where she was a tour guide then guest relations hostess (and no she did not moonlight as Snow White). Sue spent 25 years in PR before adding freelance travel writing to her resume. Prior to 365 Atlanta Traveler, Sue published an award winning family travel blog called Field Trips with Sue for eight years, and produced a TV segment with the same name on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. Her favorite place to visit is anywhere with her husband and three sons. Sue believes anytime is a good time for dessert and there are no bad field trips, just better stories. @SueRodman

Sue came to Atlanta after finishing the Walt Disney World College Program where she was a tour guide then guest relations hostess (and no she did not moonlight as Snow White). Sue spent 25 years in PR before adding freelance travel writing to her resume. Prior to 365 Atlanta Traveler, Sue published an award winning family travel blog called Field Trips with Sue for eight years, and produced a TV segment with the same name on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. Her favorite place to visit is anywhere with her husband and three sons. Sue believes anytime is a good time for dessert and there are no bad field trips, just better stories.

You forgot one of the best displays in the metro area. Felix Family Christmas Lights in Dallas. We run from Thanksgiving to New Years and are a national award winning display. We were also featured on various websites and recognized as one of the 25 best decorated homes in America.

Christmas on amberwood is up to 70 inflatables this year. 10 fake christmas trees 6 driveway arches and so much more. We encourage people to walk around in our display. Santa will be out every friday and saturday in december. http://Www.facebook.com/christmasonamberwood

Please add the Ludy Christmas light display in Columbus Georgia. The Ludy’s have been on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light fight with over 150,000 lights that dance in sync to music. All of the display is handmade by the creator. 5784 Ironstone Drive, Columbus, GA 31907. http://www.LudyChristmas.com

“Mountain Country Christmas in Lights”, a holiday treat for the entire family at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee, GA along the shores of beautiful Lake Chatuge in the Northeast Georgia mountains. The fairground will be transformed into a spectacular and magical holiday light show, with special Christmas music provided local churches, art & craft vendors, holiday food, a visit and pictures with Santa, and of course hot chocolate and s’mores.
“Patriotic Country Christmas” by Lee Greenwood and Lorrie Morgan in the Anderson Music Hall on December 16 will be a great holiday concert making the Festival in Lights even brighter.
The event begins Thanksgiving night and ends December 31. The Fairgrounds well be open each Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Cost is $5.00 per person and $4.00 per person for groups of 15 or more, children under 12 free. http://www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com

We went to a filming of The Secrets of Louisville Chefs for a company work party. We had a great time. The hosts were very welcoming, the show itself was very entertaining and the food was amazing!! My staff had a fabulous time!!! I would highly recommend this event and it was very easy to book through Mint Julep Tours.

Please add “Lights on Linstone” (https://www.facebook.com/LIGHTSONLINSTONE) We are fairly new, but offer a very festive light display for Halloween and Christmas! New this year is the Pixel Matrix that goes along with the Pixel Mega Tree.

Please add Duluth’s Christmas House to the list!! You can see pictures and events on FB page! Feel free to message my sister Tammie Johnson Hernandez she is the one that does it all! Making memories cir families!! People are talking on all social media’s about her walk thru extreme display!

Hi Sue & Lesli! I sent you an email with full details and some pictures, but there is a new Chinese Lantern Festival in Gwinnett this year with a holiday theme that I think would be a good fit for this list. 🙂 It’s called Illuminate, and more on them can be found at facebook.com/illuminatega and illuminategeorgia.com. It will last from November 21 through January 1 at Sugarloaf Mills Mall.

I’d like to share our FREE residential show in Alpharetta (close to city center and Avalon). We call the show PierceLights and we’re at 370 Oak Terrace, Alpharetta 30009. Over 33000 lights animated to 13 family friendly songs. This is our 9th year. We’re on from Thanksgiving night through January 5th showing nightly from 6:00pm until Midnight.

Smyrna Village Green going strong this year and into the first of 2019. they are walkable or you can drive around them. Best way is to get out and walk around. they are on before dark and stay on all night.